An accident occurred while leaving the showroom! Will I get a claim or will I lose money from my pocket? Know the rules

An accident occurred while leaving the showroom! Will I get a claim or will I lose money from my pocket? Know the rules

by with No Comment Car Review

The joy of buying a new car is very special for everyone, but imagine what would happen if that shiny car meets with an accident as soon as you step out of the showroom gate? Recently, many such incidents have come to light from different parts of the country, where the vehicle met with an accident within a few seconds of taking delivery. In such a situation, the first question that arises in the mind of every buyer is whether he will get an insurance claim for this loss or not?

As per the law and the rules of the Motor Vehicle Act, the legal responsibility of the vehicle passes to you as soon as you sign the delivery papers. According to the rules, the vehicle can leave the showroom only when its insurance is active. So, technically you should get a claim, but there are some tricky aspects! Come, let us know about these also.

Rules of insurance companies: When is the claim received?

Nowadays, under the rules of the Motor Vehicle Act, no vehicle is allowed to be taken out of the showroom without valid insurance. Most dealers activate Zero Depreciation insurance policy even before delivery of the vehicle.

This means that as soon as the vehicle crosses the threshold of the showroom, its insurance cover starts. If any accident occurs during this period, the insurance company is obliged to compensate for the loss. The customer has to pay only the file charge or a nominal deductible amount prescribed under the policy.

The most important condition is to have the vehicle registered.

Despite having insurance, there is one rule due to which your claim may be rejected and that is the RTO registration of the vehicle. According to the decisions of the courts and consumer commissions, driving a vehicle on a public road without a valid registration number is a legal offense and a serious violation of insurance conditions.

In a recent case, the State Consumer Commission upheld the decision of the insurance company to reject the claim because the registration number of the vehicle was not issued. In such cases, if the dealer has carelessly handed over the unregistered vehicle, then the court can impose a fine on the dealer, but the customer may also have to bear a large part of the loss.

What if the showroom staff is at fault?

Many times, while bringing the car out of the showroom or getting the gate pass cut, the driver or staff of the showroom is driving it. If an accident occurs before the formal delivery process is completed or while the showroom staff is driving, the entire legal and financial responsibility lies with the showroom (dealer). In such a situation, no loss of any kind can be recovered from the customer.

Do these things immediately in case of an accident

If God forbid such an accident happens, then instead of panic follow these legal steps-

  • Notify immediately: Notify your insurance company and dealer immediately after the accident.
  • Gather evidence: Make sure to take mobile photos and videos of the incident site and the damage caused to the vehicle.
  • File an FIR: If third party damage has occurred, then an FIR is necessary for the claim.

Source link

After a car accident, make photo-video through mobile like this, the claim will be passed immediately!

After a car accident, make photo-video through mobile like this, the claim will be passed immediately!

by with No Comment Car Review

Having an accident while driving on the road is like a nightmare. In such a situation, people often get nervous and start getting worried after seeing the damage done to the vehicle. But instead of panicking, this is the time when you should act wisely and with a cool mind. A small carelessness on your part can become a big hindrance in getting the insurance claim, or can even get the claim rejected.

Nowadays almost all insurance companies use digital claim process, where the photos and videos given by you become the biggest basis for getting the claim passed. If you prepare digital evidence (Photos & Videos) properly on the spot, your claim will be approved immediately without any hassle. Let us know what important rules should be followed while making photo-video from mobile after an accident. Important rules for making photos and videos for insurance claims-

1. Start with a wide angle shot (show the whole picture)

Often people take photos of only that part where the dent or scratch has occurred. This is the biggest mistake. First of all, stand a little distance away from the vehicle and take a wide-angle shot, in which your vehicle, the other vehicle (if there is a collision) and the surrounding environment are clearly visible. This helps the insurance surveyor to understand where and under what circumstances the accident actually occurred.

2. Close-up shots (details of damage)

After taking a wide shot, move closer to the affected part of the vehicle. Take close-up photographs of the area where there is a dent, scratch or damage. Take photographs from different angles, so that the depth and severity of the damage is clearly visible.

3. Pictures from all four corners (360-degree view)

Insurance companies want to ensure that there is no previous dent in the vehicle. Therefore, take pictures of all four corners of your car (Front, Back, Left, Right). Even if the damage is only to the front bumper, taking photographs of the rear and sides makes the claims process transparent.

4. Use 'panning' technique while making videos

Not just photos, a short and clear video helps in getting the claim passed without any doubt. Do not rotate the mobile too fast while recording video. Make a video by slowly panning the camera around the entire location and the car. In the video, the number plate and the dented part of the vehicle should be visible continuously in the same frame, so that it can be proved that the video is of the same vehicle.

5. Include number plates and landmarks

The number plate of your vehicle should be clearly visible in the photo and video. If possible, capture a milestone, signboard, shop or street name in the background. This makes it easier to verify the location of the accident.

6. Take special care of lighting

If the accident has happened at night, then use the mobile flashlight or take the photo in the light of the vehicle headlight/street light. Insurance companies may consider blurry or dark photographs as suspicious and stop the claim.

Important advice: Do not move the vehicle from the spot immediately after the accident until you take photos and videos (if there is no traffic jam). Before sending the car to the garage, immediately register a claim with these proofs on the insurance company's app or customer care. Also, if necessary, file an FIR.

Source link